W. Va. Code R. § 64-27-10 - [Effective 7/1/2025] Trauma and Emergency Care System Accountability

10.1. Policies and procedures. To ensure system accountability, OEMS shall develop policies and procedures governing the components necessary to collect and analyze information within the trauma and emergency care system including patient care information. These policies and procedures shall include guidelines for medical review and audit to assure system quality as required in W. Va. Code §55-7B-90(k).

10.2. OEMS shall maintain a State Trauma Registry in order to provide the necessary information to assure system quality and accountability as well as to provide data for use in system design and operations.

10.2.1. The three major components of the system shall be the State Trauma Registry (STR), the State Medical Command Record (SCR), and the EMS Patient Care Record (EPCR). Other components may be added as needed to facilitate effective operation and management of the trauma and emergency care system.

10.2.2. All designated trauma centers, medical command centers, and licensed EMS agencies shall collect and provide information to the system as required in the policies and procedures governing the operation of the system.

10.2.3. OEMS shall ensure the security and confidentiality of protected information within the system according to state and federal guidelines. All designated trauma centers, medical command centers, and licensed EMS agencies and their personnel shall follow all policies and procedures governing the system including the confidentiality of the information submitted.

10.3. Medical Review and Quality Improvement. The medical review and quality improvement process for the trauma and emergency care system shall consist of medical review committees (MRC) at the local, regional, and state level. OEMS shall develop policies and procedures for the operation of these committees. Pursuant to WV Code § 55-7B-9c these committees and the providers shall qualify for all the rights and protections established in WV Code § 30-3C-1 et seq.

10.3.1. Each designated trauma center and each licensed EMS agency shall develop a local MRC that follows guidelines established by OEMS.

10.3.2. The regional MRC shall consist of the following members:

10.3.2.a. The regional EMS medical director, who shall serve as the co-chair of the committee;

10.3.2.b. A trauma surgeon representative from each level I, II, and III designated trauma center within the region, one of which shall be elected by the regional MRC as the co-chair;

10.3.2.c. A physician representing all level IV designated trauma centers within the region. This physician will be appointed by the regional medical director from a list of nominees submitted by the centers;

10.3.2.d. Two EMS agency medical directors appointed by-the regional medical director;

10.3.2.e. Two paramedics from licensed EMS agencies within the region appointed by the regional medical director. The paramedics shall not be from the same agency as the medical directors on the committee; and

10.3.2.f. A registered nurse with trauma and emergency care experience appointed by the regional medical director.

10.3.3. The state MRC shall consist of the following members:

10.3.3.a. The state EMS medical director, who shall serve as the co-chair of the committee;

10.3.3.b. A trauma surgeon appointee from the membership of the STAC, who shall serve as the co-chair of the committee;

10.3.3.c. A regional medical director appointed by the state MPCC;

10.3.3.d. A practicing emergency physician appointed by the state EMS medical director;

10.3.3.e. A registered nurse with trauma and emergency care experience appointed by the STAC; and

10.3.3.f. A paramedic appointed by the state MPCC;

10.3.4. The MRC may make recommendations to OEMS or to the state and regional MPCC concerning disciplinary actions or system policy issues as outlined in MRC operational guidelines established by OEMS.

10.3.5. The chair of a MRC may, with the approval of the committee, temporarily appoint certain specialists to the committee as may be required to adequately and appropriately review a particular case. The temporary members shall follow all policies and procedures established by the committee and OEMS.

10.3.6. If a designated facility or a licensed EMS agency fails to participate and abide by the policies and procedures governing the operation of the MRC, the Secretary may suspend or revoke the designation status or license of the facility or EMS agency.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 64-27-10